Patents Examined by Diego Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 6763778
    Abstract: A motor vehicle designed to carry a foldable warning triangle that can be removed from the vehicle. The vehicle has an opening defined by a boundary edge and covered by a hatch such as a trunk or hood. The hatch is arranged so that it can be moved between a closed position and an open position. The fold-up warning triangle is secured in an edge portion of the hatch that bears against the boundary edge of the opening when the hatch is in the closed position. A warning surface of the warning triangle is visible to other traffic when the hatch is opened. In a preferred embodiment, the fold-up warning triangle is releasably placed in a recess in the edge portion of the hatch. The recess has a wall interrupted by at least one hole through which the warning surface is visible to other traffic when the hatch is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Personvagnar AB
    Inventors: Åke Bergquist, Göran Larsson, Anders Gunnarson, Simon Lamarre, Karin Reikerås, Kjell Reikerås, Einar Lennartsson, Birgitta Thorsson
  • Patent number: 6763598
    Abstract: A laser level with lens switching mechanism includes a shell, a level vial fitted to top of the shell, a laser module disposed in the shell, a connecting base joined to the front end of the shell, and a lens switching knob joined to the base; the connecting base has a first hole right in front of a passage formed in the shell for allowing laser light of the laser module to travel through; the base has a second hole, and locating protrusions spaced apart around the second hole on a front side; the knob has different lenses fitted around a shaft thereof, and is rotary with the shaft being passed through the second hole of the base; the knob has cavities, which fit with the locating protrusions when either one of the lenses is aligned with the passage for laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sean & Stephen Corp.
    Inventor: Sean Chen
  • Patent number: 6765382
    Abstract: A facility for generating a uniform magnetic field, particularly for generating a basic magnetic field of a magnetic resonance examination apparatus, particularly a medical magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, has a shim device with a guide device to or in which a number of ferromagnetic articles, such as balls, are movably attached. At least two of the articles have ferromagnetic properties differing from one another, such as saturation magnetizations that differ in magnitude from one another. A method for improving the homogeneity of a magnetic field makes use of such a facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andrew Dewdney
  • Patent number: 6765381
    Abstract: An extended Maxwell pair has a pair of cylindrical gradient coils disposed coaxially, carrying equal currents in mutually opposite directions. Each of these gradient coils may be surrounded by a coaxially disposed cylindrically extended shield coil so as to cancel the magnetic field outside. For given values of radii of the gradient and shield coils, the length and the center-to-center separation of the pair of gradient coils are determined by numerically solving an equation which is derived from the condition that the currents through the gradient and shield coils should together generate a magnetic field inside with a linear gradient. The equation to be solved is derived by calculating the magnetic field by a Fourier-Bessel expansion method incorporating the condition that the shield coils do shield the magnetic field inside and cancel the field outside the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Varian, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Barbara
  • Patent number: 6762605
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging with adherence to SAR limits, a patient is exposed to a radio-frequency pulse sequence via at least one transmission antenna for the implementation of a measurement and the magnetic resonance signals that are generated are acquired in a spatially resolved manner via at least one reception antenna and are further-processed for generating magnetic resonance images or spectra, with current SAR values for planned parameters of the measurement being identified before the implementation of the measurement and the parameters being modified as needed until the current SAR values lie within the SAR limits. The determination of the current SAR values ensues employing stored data that contain the time curve of the RF stressing of the patient during one or more preceding measurements, as well as information from which the temporal spacing of the RF stress of the preceding measurements from the planned measurement can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Brinker, Richard Koellner, Klaus Ludwig
  • Patent number: 6760976
    Abstract: A method for a robotic semiconductor wafer processing system to correct for wafers that have become offset or off-center during wafer processing. This is accomplished by determining the amount of offset and re-centering the wafer during wafer transport to the next process station using a single station sensor to locate the wafer center point. Each single sensor located at each station activates when the wafer's edge traverses through the sensor's path. Directional coordinates for the measured designated points on the wafer's edge are calculated, and the intersection points of two circles, analytically derived from using the measured designated points as their centers, are determined. The intersection point closest to the true wafer center position represents the measured wafer's center point. This point is compared to the true wafer center position, and the wafer is then adjusted for this difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Martinson, Dhairya Shrivastava, Matthew Weis
  • Patent number: 6760980
    Abstract: A linear gauging head, for example a “cartridge” head, includes a casing (1), a spindle (11), movable with respect to the casing along a longitudinal axis, a feeler (13′) coupled to a first end of the spindle, and a differential position transducer with windings (15, 16, 17), stationary with respect to the casing, and a core (18) coupled to a second end of the spindle. The spindle includes longitudinal grooves (12) and is guided by means of an axial bearing (22) with rolling elements (23) that cooperate with the grooves for allowing the spindle to translate with respect to the casing along the longitudinal axis, and concurrently prevent it from rotating about said axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Marposs Societa per Azioni
    Inventor: Guido Golinelli
  • Patent number: 6761480
    Abstract: A thermocouple holder assembly for a furnace tube including a heat sink block for welding to the furnace tube, the heat sink block having a first bore therein for slidably receiving the distal end of an elongated sheathed thermocouple, the heat sink block having a hollow heat sink tube extending from the first bore for receiving a portion of the thermocouple, and a heat shield for welding to the furnace tube having walls for shielding and completely enclosing the heat sink block to shield the heat sink block from ambient heat on the exterior of the heat shield, the heat shield having a cavity therein for receipt of the heat sink block and the heat sink tube and flexible insulation material placed over the heat sink block and the heat sink tube, one of the walls having a second bore extending therethrough to the cavity for slidably receiving the thermocouple, the second bore being positioned in the heat shield wall for alignment with the heat sink tube for conveying the thermocouple through the second bore to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventors: Charles William Parnicza, Charles Wesley Parnicza
  • Patent number: 6759847
    Abstract: In a method for magnetic resonance imaging with adherence to SAR limit values, a patient is charged with a radio-frequency pulse sequence via at least one transmission antenna for the implementation of a measurement in a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, and the magnetic resonance signals that are produced are acquired in a spatially resolved manner via at least one reception antenna and are further-processed for producing magnetic resonance images or spectra. SAR values are determined before the implementation of the measurement on the basis of patient data and the position of the patient relative to the transmission antenna for planned parameters of the measurement, and the parameters are modified as needed until the SAR values lie within the SAR limit values. The position of the patient relative to the transmission antenna is exactly determined by an imaging magnetic resonance pre-measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Akiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Brinker, Wolfgang Renz
  • Patent number: 6757983
    Abstract: The present invention is a tool for scribing a paver. The tool allows for the alignment and scribing of rectangular pavers to be placed in an arc pattern. The tool includes an alignment head having a left end and a right end. A scribe guide extends from said alignment head, said scribed guide including a scribing side. A first guide pin extends from said right end of said alignment head and a second guide pin extends from said left end of said alignment head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: George L. Moon
  • Patent number: 6758160
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrant locator that facilitates the location of a hydrant by firefighters, particularly in an emergency. The low profile device wraps around the hydrant cylinder for mounting purposes and a switch in an emergency vehicle sets off strobe lights on the device upon activation to alert firefighters to the hydrant location. The locator device comprises a plurality of solar powered strobe lights that are strapped about the hydrant alternating with solar panels. A locked latch secures the locator belt of strobe lights and solar panels to the hydrant. A shatterproof shield is mounted over the strobe lights and solar panels. A receiver is also mounted within the locator to activate the strobe lights upon receipt of a remote signal. A remote switch located in an emergency vehicle is coupled to a transmitter to activate only those hydrant locators within a given range of approximately 1500 feet. The switch can activate a different color strobe light to indicate the closeness of the hydrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Erik Martin
  • Patent number: 6758159
    Abstract: An apparatus (12) for supporting a flag comprising a housing (26) having an opening (24) in a side face. A passage (30) extends trough housing (26). The housing (28) has a lower tubular part (40) that is mounted to the top of a flagpole (10). A cable (16) is attached to an arm (14). The cable extends from a winch (22) up through the flagpole and through the passage (30) in the housing (26). The cable is attached to the arm (14). In order to attach a flag to arm (14), winch (22) is operated to extend cable (16) and to lower arm (14) to the ground. Once a flag is attached to arm (14), the winch (22) is operated to retract the cable (16). This draws the arm (14) into the housing (26). Continued retraction of the cable (16) results in the arm (14) adopting an essentially horizontal position. The apparatus may rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventors: Arthur Lachlan McCudden, Lachlan Arthur Dean McCudden
  • Patent number: 6754969
    Abstract: A constructional laser including a self-leveling optical system located in the laser housing (2) and generating a visible plumb light beam (5a) and/or visible horizontal light beam (5b), and a stand (7) fixedly secured to the housing (2) for mounting the housing on a bearing support (6), with the stand (7) being continuously pivotable about a pivot axis (A) transverse to the light beam (5a, 5b) in an angular region (↑) of greater than (20°) and discretely pivotable in angular steps encompassing the self-leveling region (a) and locable in its pivotal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Reinhard Waibel
  • Patent number: 6754971
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create a centering device having a simple structure for flat components (3), especially glass panels, which at least along their lateral edges can be surrounded by a plastic frame (4) by injection/foaming or encapsulation. To this end the invention provides for the centering device (16) to be embodied by springs (18 and 19) having the same elastic constant which are positioned opposite each other and both engage the component (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Fa. Oskar Braunsberger
    Inventors: Cord Hagenmeyer, Oliver Weiss, Alois Hoyer
  • Patent number: 6755148
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device, system, and method for detecting and measuring the bi-directional flow of a fluid through a fluid meter, such as a household or business water meter. In one device embodiment the invention comprises a logical switch collar (12) disposed over an analog fluid meter (14) having a sweep-hand (18) with a magnet (16) coupled thereto. In operation, the logical switch collar (12) consists of at least two magnetic switches that are triggered to open or close in response to the rotational movement of the sweep-hand (18) as fluid flows through a fluid meter (14) in both the forward and reverse directions. These switching events are detected and recording by an electronic module (19). Advantageously, the present invention accurately monitors and records fluid consumption at predetermined intervals when the fluid flows through the meter in either direction (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Datamatic Ltd
    Inventor: Erwin Holowick
  • Patent number: 6751877
    Abstract: A wearable garment pattern template configured to be worn by a person includes a plurality of detachably coupled sections each having a plurality of flexible segments which are coupled at pivot points. The adjustable segments include at least two strips which are longitudinally slidable relative to each other such that the segments are adjustable in length and can also be fixed in length. The segments define a framework of either triangles with sides of a particular length (as adjusted on the wearer), or quadrilaterals having sides of a set length (as adjusted on the wearer) and at least one fixed angle between two of the sides. In either instance, after adjustment, each triangle or quadrilateral can be only in one configuration, and is not subject to distortion due to rotation about pivot points. The garment pattern template can be used as a template to cut fabric for a garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Carol S. Grove
  • Patent number: 6753527
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for imaging a liquid-filling container in which a plurality of imaging devices each comprising a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are provided. Light from each light emitting unit is irradiated onto a liquid-filling container and this light transmitted through the container is received by each light receiving unit. The object of the present invention is to provide such method and an apparatus for imaging a liquid-filling container. This method or apparatus allows for simultaneous and highly reliable imaging of two or more kinds of condition of the container. For accomplishing this object, according to the present invention, wavelengths of the lights emitted by the respective light emitting units and received by the respective light receiving units of the imaging devices for imaging the liquid-filling containers are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamagishi, Shigeki Tamura
  • Patent number: 6751881
    Abstract: A deflection gauge dislodging system for performing deflection tests of pipes while permitting the deflection gauge to be readily dislodged from the interior of the pipe should it become stuck in the pipe. The deflection gauge dislodging system includes an elongate deflection gauge for measuring a minimum diameter of a lumen of a pipe. A dislodging apparatus is provided for dislodging the deflection gauge from a lodged condition in the lumen of a pipe. The dislodging apparatus is adapted to impact against the deflection gauge while the deflection gauge is positioned in the lumen of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Lyndon J. Hurley
  • Patent number: 6749334
    Abstract: An ear thermometer probe structure comprises a shell body. A hollow thermal absorption component is disposed in the shell body, and contacts several positioning points one the inner wall of the shell body. An air gap is formed at the part of the thermal absorption component not contacting the shell body. A wave guide is disposed in the thermal absorption component. The rear section of the wave guide tightly contacts the thermal absorption component, and the front section thereof is separated from the shell body by an air gap. A filter is disposed at the front end of the wave guide to let infrared rays be transmitted. An annular sealing pad is located between the filter and the top of the shell body. A sensor is disposed behind the wave guide and fixed on the thermal absorption component. The sensor is separated from the thermal absorption component and the wave guide by an annular air room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Radiant Innovation Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Lin
  • Patent number: 6748897
    Abstract: A magnet is attached to a piston which slides in the interior of a casing due to action of fluid pressure, a guide groove is provided on a side face of the casing in a movement direction of the piston, an indicator is received in the guide groove, and at least one portion of the indicator is formed of a magnetic body, so that the indicator can displace following the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Enzaki, Yoichi Morodomi